Ryan has been known to be premature with his elimination scenarios -- see 2009 -- but he's right about this. It would take a miracle for the Jets (6-8) to qualify as a wild card. This is what they'd need to happen:

Yes, that's all. They've got a better chance to win the lottery. Afterward, they were realistic. They talked about playing for pride.

"This is one of those situations where we'll find out about the individuals on this team," David Nelson said. "We'll find out about what they're here for and what they're all about. Are they here for the game of football or are they here for ulterior motives?"

It would be three straight seasons out of the playoffs. The loss clinched their third straight non-winning season. Reminded they can't finish above .500, Antonio Cromartie said, "Whoa, whoa, we still have two games left."

Finally, he did the math.

"I mean, we can finish at .500," he said, adding, "The biggest thing is, we don't want to go 6-10 again."

If Ryan survives, he'd be the first Jets coach since Walt Michaels (1977-1980) to keep his job after three straight seasons out of the tournament.

"Hell, it's not our intent going into the season or any other time," Ryan said. "We want to win it all. That's been clear from the day I took the job."